Derivatives of seleno-amino acids

ABSTRACT

Derivatives of seleno-alpha amino acids, particularly selenomethionine as enhanced bioavailable sources of selenium in animal diets.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional Application of U.S. Ser. No. 11/181,264filed on Jul. 14, 2005, herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The essential role of selenium in nutrition was first recognized bySchwarz and Foltz in 1957 (Schwarz, K. and Foltz, C. M., Selenium as anintegral part of factor 3 against dietary necrotic liver degeneration.J. Am. Chem. Soc. 79:3292 (1957)). These researchers observed that ratsdeveloped liver necrosis when fed a purified diet deficient in vitaminE. However, the addition of selenium to the diet prevented thedevelopment of this condition. The ability of dietary selenium toprevent the development of exudative diathesis, a conditioncharacterized by leakage of plasma into subcutaneous spaces of theabdomen and breast in chicken, was reported in the same year byPatterson et al (Patterson, E. L., Milstrey, R., Stokstad, E. L. R.Effect of selenium in preventing exudative diathesis in chicks. Proc.Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 95: 617-620 (1957)). The important role of seleniumin nutrition was further demonstrated by recognizing the practicaleffect of selenium deficiency in livestock (Muth, O. H., Oldfield, J.E., Remmert, L. F., and Schubert, J. R. Effects of selenium and vitaminE on white muscle disease. Science 128: 1090 (1958) and Hartley, W. J.,and Grant, A. B. A review of selenium responsive diseases of New Zealandlivestock. Fed. Proc. 2o: 679 (1961)). Subsequent work confirmed thatselenium is an essential element for animals and that its deficiencyresults in various disorders (Combs, G. F. Jr., Combs, S. B. The role ofselenium in nutrition. Academic Press, Orlando, Fla., pp 265-399(1986b)).

The importance of selenium in human nutrition and the effects of itsdeficiency on human health were not recognized until the 1970s. Seleniumdeficiency was found to be one of the factors responsible for the Keshandisease, a human condition characterized by a dilated cardiomyopathythat affects persons living in rural areas of China. The incidence ofthe Keshan disease matched the distribution of selenium-deficient areas(Keshan Disease Research Group of the Chinese Academy of MedicalSciences. Epidemiologic studies on the etiologic relationship ofselenium and Keshan disease. Chin. Med. J. 92:477-482 (1979)).Furthermore, a prospective placebo-controlled study demonstrated thatnew cases of the disease can be prevented by the administration ofsodium selenite tablets (Keshan Disease Research Group of the ChineseAcademy of Medical Sciences. Observations on effect of sodium selenitein prevention of Keshan disease. Chin. Med. J. 92:471-477 (1979)). Thedetrimental effects of diet-induced selenium deficiency in criticallyill patients were reported in several case studies. Skeletal myopathydeveloped in one patient on total parenteral nutrition and was reversedby intravenous administration of selenomethionine (van Rij, A. M.,Thomson, C. D., McKenzie, J. M., Robinson, M. F. Selenium deficiency intotal parenteral nutrition. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 32: 2076-2085 (1979)).Fatal cardiomyopathy induced by nutritional selenium deficiency wasreported in a 43-year-old man receiving parenteral alimentation for 2years before his death (Johnson, R. A., Baker, S. S., Fallon, J. T.,Maynard, E. P., Ruskin, J. N., Wen, Z., Ge, K., and Cohen, H. J. Anoccidental case of cardiomyopathy and selenium deficiency. The NewEngland Journal of Medicine. 304: 1210-1212 (1981)). In 1982, a secondcase of fatal cardiomyopathy associated with dietary selenium deficiencywas reported in a patient on home parenteral nutrition for at least twoyears (Selenium Deficiency and Fatal Cardiomyopathy in a Patient on HomeParenteral Nutrition. Gastroenterology. 83:689-693 (1982)).

The recognition of the essential role of selenium in human and animalnutrition has resulted in the establishment of a Recommended DailyAllowance (RDA) for humans and approval of the inclusion of additionalselenium compounds in animal feed. Recently, the Food and NutritionBoard of the Institute of Medicine revised the RDA for selenium to 55 μg(Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, andCarotenoids. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press(2000)). In 1974,the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved sodium selenite andsodium selenate as feed additive. These inorganic selenium salts can beadded at the level of 0.3 ppm Se in feed dry matter. In June 2000, theFDA approved the use of selenium yeast in poultry broiler and layerdiets.

The biochemical mechanism involved in manifesting the beneficial effectsof selenium began to emerge in 1973 when selenium was found to be anessential component of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase(Rotruck, J. T., Pope, A. L., Ganther, H. E., Swanson, A. B., Hafeman,D. G. F., and Hockstra, W. G. Selenium: Biochemical Role as a Componentof Glutathione Peroxidase. Science, 179: 588-590 (1973) and Flohe, L.,Gunzler, W. A. and Shock, H. H. Glutathione Peroxidase. A Selenoenzyme.FEBS Lett. 32: 132-134)). Concurrently, an extra cellular selenoprotein(Selenoprotein P) was discovered in rat, rhesus monkey and human plasmaand found to be different than glutathione peroxidase (Moschos M. P.Selenoprotein P. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 57: 1836-1845(2000)). Another function of selenium is as a catalytically activecomponent of the iodothyronine deiodinase enzymes that regulates thyroidhormone metabolism. More recently, selenocysteine was identified in theactive center of thioredoxin reductase demonstrating the role seleniumplays in various metabolic processes catalyzed by these enzymes.

Recent studies have shown that the role of selenium in mammalians is notlimited to the physiological functions of selenoenzymes. It now appearsthat selenium has a very specific role in spermatogenesis that isessential for male fertility (Ursini F., Heim S., Kiess M., Maiorino M.,Roveri A., Wissing J., Flohe' L. Dual Function of the SelenoproteinPHGPx During Sperm Maturation. Science 285: 1393-1396 (1999)). Theidentification of a specific selenoenzyme in the sperm nuclei furtherunderscored the important role selenium plays in sperm maturation(Pfeifer H., Conrad M., Roethein D., Kyriakopoulos A., Brielmeier M.,Bornkamm G. W., Behne D. Identification of a Specific Sperm NucleiSelenoenzyme Necessary for Protamine Thiol Cross-Linking During SpermMaturation. FASEB J 15: 1236-1238 (2001)).

The dietary requirements for selenium are usually fulfilled by theingestion of diets containing naturally occurring organic seleniumcompounds. Food and feed ingredients rich in organic selenium compoundsinclude meat, fish, dairy products, some vegetables and grains. Theconcentration of selenium in materials of plant origin often depends onthe concentration of selenium in the soil where the plants were grown.The soil of the Rocky Mountain States contains higher levels of seleniumthan other states and plants growing on these soils contain higherlevels of selenium. The majority of organic selenium in natural food andfeed ingredients is present as L-selenomethionine. Some accumulatorplants and vegetables such as garlic, onions and broccoli growing onselenium rich soils contain Se-methylselenocysteine and its derivativesas the major organic selenium compounds. One of the predominant forms ofselenium in native forage plants of the U.S. is selenate. Of 24 plantsstudied, selenate represented 5-92% of total selenium. Selenite wasabsent in all but one of these plants which contained 3% of totalselenium as selenite. (Whanger P. D. Selenocompounds in Plants andAnimals and their Biological Significance. Journal of the AmericanCollege of Nutrition, 12: 223-232 (2002)). Regardless of the form inwhich the selenium is ingested, it is transformed by a variety ofmetabolic pathways via the same intermediary pool into the specificselenocysteine-containing selenoproteins which are responsible forselenium biological effects. The levels of theseselenocysteine-containing selenoproteins in tissues appear to behomeostatically controlled. Ingestion of supplemental selenium above theoptimal requirements does not appear to increase the concentrations ofthe specific selenoproteins in tissues. However, ingestion ofselenomethionine results in higher retention of selenium in tissues thanthose observed with other sources of selenium. This is attributed to thefact that only a fraction of selenomethionine is metabolized similar toother sources of selenium via the intermediary pool to specificselenocysteine-containing proteins. A certain percentage of ingestedselenomethionine is incorporated non-specifically directly into proteinsin place of methionine. This non-specifically bound selenium is presentin high concentrations in methionine rich proteins. The fraction ofingested selenomethione that is incorporated in non-specific proteinsappears to be dependent on the ratio of selenomethionine to methionineand not selenium status. When low methionine diets are ingested, theincreased non-specific incorporation of selenomethionine in proteinsresulted in the decreased concentrations and effects of the specificselenoproteins. Non-specific incorporation of selenomethionine takesplace in the proteins of skeletal muscles, erythrocytes, pancreas,liver, stomach, kidneys and the gastrointestinal mucosa. The release ofselenomethionine from body proteins is linked to protein turnover. Asteady state concentration of selenomethionine in tissues may beestablished if the intake of the seleno-amino acid is maintained overextended period of time. (Schrauzer G. N. Nutritional SeleniumSupplements: Product Types, Quality, and Safety. Journal of the AmericanCollege of Nutrition, 20:1-4 (2001)).

The disposition of selenomethionine, Se-methyl-selenocysteine, selenite,and selenate in animals has been carefully studied. These common sourcesof selenium in animal nutrition take different pathways to theintermediary selenium pool which is ultimately incorporated in thespecific seleno-proteins or further converted into polar metabolitesthat can be readily excreted.

A fraction of the ingested selenium source is eliminated via a number ofpathways. Some of orally ingested selenite and selenate is reduced inthe gastrointestinal tract to elemental selenium which is excreted infeces. Selenite and selenate are also excreted in urine.

Supplementation of animal feed with an approved source of selenium isgaining popularity. Currently, inorganic sources such as selenite andselenate as well as the organic source selenium yeast are approved bythe FDA as feed ingredients. However, the amount of selenium that can beadded and the species of livestock that may be supplemented areregulated. The approval of the use of the inorganic sources of seleniumsuch as selenite and selenate as feed ingredients is curious since thesedo not occur naturally in significant concentrations in feed.L-Selenomethionine is the form of selenium most commonly present innatural foods and feed. However, synthetic L-selenomethionine has notbeen commercially available at reasonable prices for use as feedingredient in livestock production. Therefore, selenium enriched yeasthas been used as a practical affordable source of L-selenomethionine.Special strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiea grown in a selenium richmedium accumulate as much as 3000 μg Se per g dry matter. Most of theselenium in yeast exists as L-selenomethionine. The L-selenomethionineis present primarily incorporated in the yeast protein in place ofL-methionine. Other organic selenium compounds may be present in lowconcentrations including Se-adenosyl-selenohomocysteine (2-5%),selencysteine (0.5%), methylselenocysteine (0.5%), selenocystathionine(0.5%), and γ-glutamyl-Se-methylselenocysteine (0.5%). Only traces ofinorganic selenium may be present in the yeast as selenite or selenate(Schrauzer G. N. Selenomethionine: A Review of its NutritionalSignificance, Metabolism and Toxicity. J. Nutr. 130: 1653-1656 (2000)).

Several studies were published during the last several years comparingthe effects of selenite and selenium yeast supplements on the seleniumstatus and health of livestock. In selenium deficient animals, theselenium concentrations in plasma and tissues increase linearly asintake of selenium increases to a point after which plasma and tissueselenium concentrations do not change significantly with increasedintake. For example the relationship of dietary selenium from sodiumselenite to selenium concentrations in plasma and milk in dairy cows wasexamined by Maus et al. Selenium concentration in plasma and milkincreased linearly as intake of selenium increased from about 2-6mg/day. Further increases in intake resulted in only little change inplasma and milk selenium (Maus R. W., Martz F. A., Belyea R. L. andWeiss M. F., Relationship of Dietary Selenium to Selenium in Plasma andMilk from Dairy Cows, J Dairy Sci, 63: 532-537 (1980)).

Selenium was found to be more bioavailable from selenium yeast than fromselenite or selenate in several animal studies. The increase in tissueselenium concentration was greater in animals fed selenium yeastcompared to animals fed selenite. However, the increase in glutathioneperoxidase activity was about the same regardless of the source ofsupplemental selenium. The favorable effects of selenium supplementationon animal health were demonstrated in several studies. For example,selenium supplementation improved udder health in dairy cows asdemonstrated by a decrease in the percent quarters harboring mastitispathogens and a decrease in somatic cells count in milk. Again theeffects of selenium yeast were greater than those of sodium selenite(Malbe M., Klassen M., Fang W., Mylls V., Vikerpuur M., Nyholm K,Sankari S., Sourta K., and Sandholm M. Comparisons of Selenite andSelenium Yeast Feed Supplements on Se-incorporation, Mastitis andLeucocyte Function in Se-deficient Dairy Cows, J Vet Med A, 42: 111-121(1995)).

In summary, it is now well established that dietary selenium isessential for the health and wellbeing of humans and animals. Severalstudies have demonstrated that selenium is more bioavailable fromorganic sources than from inorganic sources. The only organic seleniumsource available for commercial use is selenium rich yeast preparation.In yeast, selenium exists primarily as L-selenomethionine rich proteins.Although Selenium yeast is now widely accepted as a source of dietaryselenium, its use suffers from several shortcomings. The concentrationof organically bound selenium in yeast is limited by its ability to formL-selenomethionine from the selenite enriched media. Currently, thehighest possible concentration of selenium in yeast appears to be 2000μg/g dry matter. Secondly, since the organically bound selenium in yeastis produced by a biological process that is vulnerable to subtlevariations in the large scale production process, the exact compositionof the selenium compounds is variable and is not readily known.Occasionally, yeast contains variable concentrations of inorganicselenium compounds such as selenites and selenates. Thirdly, the organicselenium compounds are present in yeast as part of the intracellularproteins. Before these compounds are available for absorption afterbeing ingested, the cell walls of yeast must rupture to release theprotein into the animals' gastrointestinal tract where it can besubjected to the proteolytic effects of digestive enzymes. It is onlyafter the protein is hydrolyzed to single amino acids or dipeptides thatthe selenium compounds can be absorbed. The release of the seleniumcompounds as single amino acids or dipeptides from the intact yeastcells is not complete and is highly dependent on the conditions in thegastrointestinal tract. Because of these shortcomings, there isimportant need to develop alternatives to selenium enriched yeast toserve as a readily bioavailable dietary source of selenium. Our earlierU.S. Pat. No. 6,911,550, related to complex salts. This improvementrelates to certain esters and organic derivatives that are very stable.

Recently, the demand for a dietary sources of selenium with improvedbioavailability for use as a supplement for human and livestock hasincreased. Synthetic seleno-amino acids have recently becomecommercially available at a reasonable cost. These amino acids howeverhave low water solubility and their crystals have water repellentproperties that result in low rate of dissolution. Low solubility andslow rate of dissolution lower the bioavailability of these compoundsafter feeding to animals. One primary objective of this invention is toidentify derivatives of seleno-amino acids with improved bioavailabilityand then prepare them.

Selenium like sulfur, is a member of group VIA elements. It exists indifferent allotropic forms and has oxidation states of −2, 0, +2, +4,and +6. Selenium is a nonmetallic element. It can form mono-atomicanions and therefore can form ionic as well as covalent bonds. In theoxidation state −2, selenium forms covalent bonds with carbonsubstituents and can often replace sulfur in naturally occurringcompounds. The biological role of selenium is attributed to thesenaturally occurring compounds in which selenium exists in the −2oxidation state and is covalently bound, usually with carbon as part offunctional proteins. Seleno-amino acids have been proposed as dietarysources of selenium. However, it is recognized that the bioavailabilityof these compounds may be significantly diminished by the nutritionalstatus of the animal and the composition of the diet andgastrointestinal tract contents. Therefore it was desirable to explorederivatives of the seleno-amino acids that may improve thebioavailability of these amino acids. In a previous patent (U.S. Pat.No. 6,911,550) the inventors of the present application describedreversible derivatives of seleno amino acids with improvedbioavailability. These reversible derivatives are 1:1 zinc complexes ofselenoamino acids such as L-selenomethionine. The primary object of thepresent invention is to make novel irreversible derivatives ofseleno-amino acids with improved bioavailability. These novel compoundsare formed by chemically modifying the selenoamino acids by formingcovalent bonds between the α-amino and/or the carboxyl group and aprotective group. These chemically stable compounds are enzymaticallymodified to the selenoamino acid after being ingested by the animal.

Another object of the invention is to describe methods of preparation ofthese derivatives and their use as feed ingredients in livestock.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Novel derivatives of seleno-amino acids that are effective dietarysources of supplemental selenium in humans and livestock are prepared.The novel derivatives have improved physical, chemical or biologicalproperties over the parent seleno-amino acid. These derivatives possessenhanced bioavailability and/or increased stability of the seleno-aminoacids. They are 1:1 complexes of seleno-amino acids such asL-selenomethionine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Because of unsatisfactory performance of presently available seleniumsources for use in feed supplements, it was necessary then to explorederivatives of selenomethionine that have improved bioavailability. Thedesired properties of the novel derivatives include:

-   -   1. The derivative must be a readily bioavailable source of        selenium.    -   2. The derivative must be more stable than the parent compound.    -   3. The physical properties of the derivative such as solubility,        rate of dissolution, odor are more favorable than the parent        compound.    -   4. The derivative can be easily prepared from the parent        compounds by using commercially available reagents and at a        reasonable cost.    -   5. The derivative must be as safe as the parent compound        recognizing that all selenium containing compounds have a narrow        range of safety.    -   6. The derivative must be stable in the content of the rumen so        it can be used as a source of selenium in rumenat animals.

Other commercially available seleno-amino acids such asmethyl-L-selenocysteine, were found to posses similar undesirablephysical properties as L-selenomethionine. Therefore, derivatives ofthese selenoamino acids were also prepared. These derivatives were foundto have similar properties as those of selenomethionine.

One group of seleno-amino acid derivatives is the simple aliphaticesters such as methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and isopropyl esters. Amongthis group the isopropyl esters were the preferred compounds. These arereadily prepared by the reaction of the seleno-amino acid with isopropylalcohol in the presence of the appropriate catalyst or coupling agents.These included concentrated sulfuric acid and thionyl chloride. Theamino acid ester is usually separated as the hydrochloride salt. TheL-Selenomethionine Isopropyl Ester Hydrochloride is a readily soluble inwater, and is significantly more stable than L-selenomethionine in thesolid state and in solution. These derivatives have much greater lipidsolubility than the parent seleno-amino acids and will be rapidlyabsorbed by passive diffusion from intestinal contents at pH>5.0.

The second group of derivatives explored is the N-Succinyl derivativesof seleno-amino acids. These compounds were readily obtained by thereaction of the seleno-amino acids with succinic anhydride. Thesecompounds are partially dissociated acids because the α-amino group ofthe seleno-amino acid is masked. These compounds are separated andeasily purified as their salts. The potassium, sodium, calcium ormagnesium salts may be prepared. The Sodium salt of N-SuccinylL-Selenomethione is readily soluble in water. It is significantly morestable than L-Selenomethionine in the solid state and in solution. Thesederivatives have much greater lipid solubility than the parentseleno-amino acids and will be rapidly absorbed by passive diffusionfrom gastro-intestinal contents at pH<3.0. The third group ofderivatives explored is the N-Carbamoyl and Hydantoin derivatives ofseleno-amino acids. N-Carbamoyl L-Selenomethionine is obtained by thereaction between L-Selenomethionine and Potassium Cyanate in aqueoussolution at 90° C. Heating the N-Carbamoyl derivative in 3 Nhydrochloric acid provide L-Selenomethionine Hydantoin. The N-carbamoylderivative is more soluble in water and the solution appears to be morestable than the parent seleno-amino acid. The Hydantoin is less solubleand appears to be more stable than the parent seleno-amino acid.

The compounds described above are reversible derivatives of theseleno-amino acids. After ingestion by the animal, they are expected tobe readily converted to the parent seleno-amino acids primarily byenzyme catalyzed reactions. For example, The L-selenomethionineisopropyl ester is expected to be readily hydrolyzed by esterasespresent in the blood and other tissues such as the liver. Thenon-enzymatic hydrolysis of esters at pH 7.4 of the plasma is alsopossible. The N-Succinyl derivatives are likely to be enzymaticallyhydrolyzed by amidases in plasma and liver.

The seleno-amino acid derivatives described in this invention may beadded to solid or liquid feed as a readily available source of selenium.The amount of the compound added will depend on the animal beingsupplemented. For swine and poultry, the diet will be supplemented by0.05-2.00 ppm Se, preferably 0.1-0.3 ppm Se. For cattle, the feed willbe supplemented by 0.05-10 mg Se per head per day, preferably 2-7 mg Seper head per day.

The following examples are offered to illustrate the practical methodsof obtaining these complexes, their properties, and their use as sourcesof selenium in animal nutrition.

Example 1 Preparation of L-Selenomethionine Isopropyl EsterHydrochloride (Compound 1)

In a 1000-ml round bottom flask was added isopropyl alcohol (150 ml).The flask was placed in an ice-water bath and concentrated sulfuric acid(43.208 g of Technical grade minimum 93%) was carefully added dropwisewith constant agitation. L-Selenomethionine (66.962 g, 0.338 moles) wascarefully added with continued agitation. A Soxhlet extraction tube wasattached to the top of the flask. A glass extraction thimble with afritted disc is filled with Molecular Sieves 3A was placed in theextraction tube. Isopropyl alcohol was added to fill the extractiontube. A reflux condenser was attached to the extraction tube. Themixture is heated by a heating mantle to cause gentle reflux of theisopropyl alcohol. The reaction mixture was heated under reflux for 48hrs. The heating was discontinued and the flask was placed in anice-water bath. Ammonium hydroxide solution is added slowly withcontinued mixing. A voluminous white precipitate was formed. The mixturewas filtered and the precipitate is washed with isopropyl alcohol. Thecombined filtrate and washings were concentrated under reduced pressureto give a thick oil. The residue was dissolved in 100-ml of ethylacetate. The ethyl acetate solution was transferred into a separatoryfunnel and extracted with successive portions of dilute ammoniumhydroxide solution and Brine solution. The ethyl acetate extract wasdried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and the solvent removedunder reduced pressure to give a thick yellow oil (42.337 g, 52.61%yield). The oil was dissolved in isopropyl alcohol (200 ml) andconcentrated hydrochloric acid (20 g) was added. The mixture wasconcentrated under reduced pressure the residue was dissolved in theminimum amount of ethyl acetate. Dry ether was added dropwise untilturbidity appeared. The mixture was stored in a refrigerator for 4 days.A white crystalline precipitate was filtered and washed with dry ether.

The FTIR spectrum of the solid in a potassium bromide pellet showedabsorption peaks at about: 3413.8(W), 2981.7(vs), 2877.6(vs), 2615.3(m),2488.0(w), 2100.0(m), 1732.0(vs), 1585.4(m), 1512.1(m), 1465.8(m),1442.7(m), 1377.1(m), 1276.8(s), 1242.1(vs), 1188.1(s), 1107.1(vs),1068.5(m), 902.6(m) and 813.9(w) cm⁻¹. (w, weak; m, medium; s, strong;vs, very strong). This spectrum is different than that ofL-selenomethionine which showed absorption peaks at about: 3433.1(w),2923.9(s), 2731.0(m), 2611.4(m), 2117.7(w), 1608.5(s), 1581.5(vs),1512.1(s), 1411.8(s), 1338.5(m), 1269.1(w), 1218.9(w), 1153.4(w), and540.0(w) cm⁻¹.

A solution containing 1 mg/ml of L-selenomethionine isopropyl esterhydrochloride in water was analyzed by HPLC using a UV/Vis detector at210 nm and 20 μl of the sample was injected onto the column by using aRheodyne Loop injector. A 250×4.6 mm Discovery Cyano column (Supelco)was used with 0.1% Acetic Acid at 1 ml/min as the mobile phase.L-Selenomethionine isopropyl ester hydrochloride had a retention time of4.467 min. L-Selenomethionine has a retention time of 4.167 min in thissystem. A single peak accounting for over 99% of detector response wasobtained with the L-selenomethionine isopropyl ester hydrochloride. Thissystem was useful for the determination of L-selenomethionine isopropylester hydrochloride in premixes.

Example 2 Preparation of N-Succinyl L-Selenomethionine (Compound 2)

A 3-neck 250-ml round bottom flask was equipped with a thermometer, areflux condenser and an addition funnel. Ethyl acetate (75 ml) wasplaced into the flask. Succinic anhydride (12.404 g) was finelypulverized in a mortar and added to the ethyl acetate in the flask. Themixture was stirred by a magnetic stirrer until all solids dissolved.L-Selenomethionine (19.630 g, 0.1 mole) was added. Dilute sulfuric acid(1.0 ml of a solution obtained by diluting 1 part concentrated sulfuricacid with 5 parts water). The mixture was heated under reflux withcontinued stirring for 1 hr. The hot clear solution was filtered. Awhite crystalline precipitate was formed as the filtrate was cooled. Theprecipitate weighed 24.92 g (84.14% yield).

The FTIR spectrum of the finely ground crystals obtained above in apotassium bromide pellet showed absorption peaks at about: 3313.5(m),3091.7(w), 2931.6(m), 2626.9(w), 1714.6(vs), 1647.1(s), 1616.2(m),1434.9(m), 1409.9(m), 1245.9(s), 1195.8(s), 964.3(w), 704.0(w), and636.5(w) cm⁻¹. (w, weak; m, medium; s, strong; vs, very strong). Thisspectrum is different than that of L-selenomethionine which showedabsorption peaks at about: 3433.1(w), 2923.9(s), 2731.0(m), 2611.4(m),2117.7(w), 1608.5(s), 1581.5(vs), 1512.1(s), 1411.8(s), 1338.5(m),1269.1(w), 1218.9(w), 1153.4(w), and 540.0(w) cm⁻¹.

A solution containing 1 mg/ml of N-Succinyl L-selenomethionine in waterwas analyzed by HPLC using a UV/Vis detector at 210 nm and 20 μl of thesample was injected onto the column by using a Rheodyne Loop injector. A250×4.6 mm Discovery Cyano column (Supelco) was used with 0.1% AceticAcid at 1 ml/min as the mobile phase. The N-succinyl L-Selenomethioninehad a retention time of 5.56 min. L-Selenomethionine has a retentiontime of 4.167 min in this system. A single peak accounting for over99.54% of detector response was obtained with the N-succinylL-selenomethionine. This system was useful for the determination ofN-succinyl L-selenomethionine in premixes.

Example 3 Preparation of N-Carbamoyl L-Selenomethionine (Compound 3)

A 3-neck 250-ml round bottom flask was equipped with a thermometer, areflux condenser and an addition funnel. Water (40 ml) was placed intothe flask. Potassium cyanate (9.735 g, 0.115 moles) was added to thewater in the flask and the cold mixture was stirred by a magneticstirrer until all solids dissolved. L-Selenomethionine (19.815 g, 0.1moles) was added. The mixture was heated under reflux with vigorousstirring. The inside temperature reached 94° C. and then lowered to80-85° C. The reaction mixture was maintained at 80-85° C. for 2 hrs.The clear solution obtained was cooled to room temperature. Hydrochloricacid (11.272 g, 0.115 moles) was added slowly with continued stirring. Aheavy white crystalline precipitate was formed and filtered underreduced pressure. The precipitate weighed 20 g (83.65% yield).

The FTIR spectrum of the finely ground crystals obtained above in apotassium bromide pellet showed absorption peaks at about: 3458.1(s),3303.8(m), 2929.7(w), 1685.7(vs), 1631.7(vs), 1560.3(vs), 1442.7(w),1411.8(w), 1282.6(s), 1244.0(w), 1197.7(w), 1180.4(w), 1103.2(w),931.6(w), 775.3(w), 719.4(w), 576.7(w) and 478.3(w) cm⁻¹. (w, weak; m,medium; s, strong; vs, very strong). This spectrum is different thanthat of L-selenomethionine which showed absorption peaks at about:3433.1(w), 2923.9(s), 2731.0(m), 2611.4(m), 2117.7(w), 1608.5(s),1581.5(vs), 1512.1(s), 1411.8(s), 1338.5(m), 1269.1(w), 1218.9(w),1153.4(w), and 540.0(w) cm⁻¹.

A solution containing 1 mg/ml of N-Carbamoyl L-selenomethionine in waterwas analyzed by HPLC using a UV/Vis detector at 210 nm and 20 μl of thesample was injected onto the column by using a Rheodyne Loop injector. A250×4.6 mm Discovery Cyano column (Supelco) was used with 0.1% AceticAcid at 1 ml/min as the mobile phase. The N-carbamoyl L-Selenomethioninehad a single peak accounting for over 99.54% of detector response and aretention time of 5.15 min. L-Selenomethionine has a retention time of4.167 min in this system. This system was useful for the determinationof N-carbamoyl L-selenomethionine in premixes.

Example 4 Preparation of L-Selenomethionine Hydantoin (Compound 4)

A 3-neck 250-ml round bottom flask was equipped with a thermometer, areflux condenser and an addition funnel. Water (40 ml) was placed intothe flask. N-Carbamoyl L-selenomethionine (11.969 g, 0.05 moles) wasadded to the water in the flask and the mixture was stirred by amagnetic stirrer with cooling. Hydrochloric acid (14.599 g, 0.15 moles)was added slowly. The mixture was heated under reflux with vigorousstirring for 2 hrs. The clear solution was filtered while hot and thencooled to room temperature. A heavy white crystalline precipitate wasformed and filtered under reduced pressure. The precipitate weighed 8.72g (78.88% yield).

The FTIR spectrum of the finely ground crystals obtained above in apotassium bromide pellet showed absorption peaks at about: 3062.7(w),2761.9(w), 1774.4(s), 1732.0(vs), 1423.4(m), 1265.2(w), 1203.5(w),748.3(w), 632.6(w), and 455.2(w) cm⁻¹. (w, weak; m, medium; s, strong;vs, very strong). This spectrum is different than that ofL-selenomethionine which showed absorption peaks at about: 3433.1(w),2923.9(s), 2731.0(m), 2611.4(m), 2117.7(w), 1608.5(s), 1581.5(vs),1512.1(s), 1411.8(s), 1338.5(m), 1269.1(w), 1218.9(w), 1153.4(w), and540.0(w) cm⁻¹.

A solution containing 1 mg/ml of L-selenomethionine hydantoin in waterwas analyzed by HPLC using a UV/Vis detector at 210 nm and 20 μl of thesample was injected onto the column by using a Rheodyne Loop injector. A250×4.6 mm Discovery Cyano column (Supelco) was used with 0.1% AceticAcid at 1 ml/min as the mobile phase. The L-selenomethionine hydantoinshowed a single peak accounting for over 99.72% of detector response anda retention time of 5.94 min. L-Selenomethionine has a retention time of4.167 min in this system. This system was useful for the determinationof L-selenomethionine hydantoin in premixes.

Example 5

Comparison of the Effects of Sodium Selenite and N-SuccinylL-Selenomethionine (Compound 2) on Tissue Selenium Content andWhole-Blood Glutathione Peroxidase Activity of Lactating Cows:

Three premixes were prepared for use in a field study in lactating cows.One of the premixes contained no additional source of selenium and wasintended to serve as the placebo. The second contained sodium seleniteand the third contained N-Succinyl L-Selenomethionine (Compound 2). Eachof the premixes was prepared by mixing an amount of the selenium sourcewith sufficient amount of finely ground sugar to contain 250 ppm ofselenium. Each premix was color identified by the incorporation of asolution of a food color during formulation and given a letterdesignation by random selection. The premixes were provided to theanimal nutritionists blinded, i.e. they did not know the source ofselenium in each of the premixes. This was done to avoid any possiblebiases in the interpretation of the results of the feeding experiments.

Thirty lactating cows were fed one of the three premixes as a dailytopdress. The effect of these selenium sources on tissue seleniumcontent and whole blood glutathione peroxidase activity were determined.All cows were fed a total mixed diet devoid of added selenium for aninitial 8-week depletion period. Daily rations were topdressed with anamount of the premix to provide 7.5 mg selenium. Treatments werecontinued for 8-week followed by a 4-week depletion period. Milk sampleswere collected on one day per week beginning the week prior to the firstdepletion period (Week 0) and continuing through the 20 weeks of theexperiment. The selenium content of the milk serum obtained after thesamples were defatted was determined. The selenium concentrations inmilk serum for weeks 0, 8, 12, 16, and 20 are reported in Table 1. Bloodsamples were collected on one day per week beginning the week prior tothe first depletion period (Week 0) and at four week intervalsthroughout the experiment (Weeks 8, 12, 16 and 20 in Table 1). The bloodsamples were draw into trace-element free vacutainer tubes containing ananticoagulant. Aliquots of whole blood were analyzed for selenium andglutathione peroxidase activity. Other aliquots of blood werecentrifuged to harvest plasma and the selenium content of the plasmasamples was determined. Liver samples were obtained by biopsy on one dayper week beginning the week prior to the first depletion period (Week 0)and at four week intervals throughout the experiment (Weeks 8, 12, 16and 20 in Table 1). Liver samples were analyzed for selenium content.The results of the experiment are reported in Table 1. The results inTable 1 show that the selenium concentrations in milk serum, plasma andliver after 8 weeks of restriction of selenium intake (Wk 8) weresignificantly lower than those before the start of the depletion period(Wk 0). Feeding the cows a mixed diet that does not contain supplementalselenium (Placebo) results in small increases in the seleniumconcentrations but the basal level at Wk 0 were not fully restored.However, feeding a diet supplemented with either sodium selenite orN-Succinyl L-Selenomethionine (Compound 2) resulted in progressive andsignificant increases in the selenium concentrations in these tissues(Wk12 & Wk 16). The concentrations of selenium decreased significantlyin all tissues at the end of the second depletion period (Wk 20). Thedramatic changes in the selenium concentrations in response to changesin dietary intake of selenium indicate that these tissues are sensitiveindicators of the dietary selenium status of the lactating cows. It isimportant to note that Compound 2 caused statistically significanthigher increases than sodium selenite in the selenium concentration ofthese three tissues indicating that N-Succinyl L-Selenomethionine is amore bioavailable source of dietary selenium than sodium selenite.

The changes in the selenium concentration and glutathione peroxidaseactivity (GPX) in whole blood in response to changing dietary seleniumintake were less sensitive than those in milk serum, plasma and liver.This indicates that these parameters are not useful indicators of theselenium status of lactating cows.

TABLE 1 Tissue Compound Wk 0 Wk 8 Wk 12 Wk 16 Wk 20 Milk Serum Se(ng/ml) Placebo 13.55 4.37 9.27 7.26 10.94 Sodium Selenite 13.01 3.8911.93 22.84 10.94 Compound 2 14.96 4.30 25.18 30.37 10.91 Plasma Se(ng/ml) Placebo 72.1 47.1 31.3 28.9 42.7 Sodium Selenite 75.4 45.3 56.356.8 48.4 Compound 2 63.5 43.6 60.3 65.7 52.2 Liver Se (ng/g dry wt.)Placebo 1231 793 672 660 677 Sodium Selenite 1446 1034 1129 1185 934Compound 2 1151 690 1437 1705 1003 Whole Blood Se (ng/ml) Placebo 133.3145.9 99.0 92.6 81.4 Sodium Selenite 147.4 135.7 113.2 119.1 104.4Compound 2 144.0 136.3 139.0 136.8 112.1 Whole Blood GPX Placebo 17.319.0 17.1 14.0 15.0 (EU/ml) Sodium Selenite 17.3 17.9 17.6 16.1 17.9Compound 2 18.2 19.2 18.7 17.5 19.8

L-Selenomethionine Isopropyl Ester Hydrochloride

(S)-4-(1-carboxy-3-(methylselanyl)propylamino)-4-oxobutanoic acidN-Succinyl L-Selenomethionine

N-Carbomoyl L-Selnomethionine

(S)-5-(2-(methylselanyl)ethyl)imidazolidine-2,4-dione L-Selenomethioninehydantoin

As used herein the term “biologically active derivatives” means organiccovalently bound compounds prepared from the basic structure (forexample L-selenomethionine) that retains the bioavailability propertiesto provide selenium diet enrichment of animals.

From the above written description and examples 1-5 it can be seen thatthe invention accomplishes the primary objectives of the inventors. Itshould be noted these examples are illustrative and not to be taken aslimiting, as the scope of the inventors are defined by the followingclaims.

1. A method of selenium supplementation of animals, comprising adding toanimal feed a complex of a seleno alpha amino acids and/or a biologicalactive derivative thereof.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the selenoalpha amino acid is L-Selenomethionine and the biologically activederivative is a C₁ to C₃ ester.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein theester is isopropyl.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the biologicallyactive derivative is an N-succinyl derivative.
 5. The method of claim 1wherein the biologically active derivative is an N-carbomyl derivative.6. The method of claim 1 wherein the biologically active derivative is ahydantoin derivative.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the animals areselected from the group of swine and poultry and the amount added is ata level of 0.05 to 2.0 ppm of selenium.
 8. The method of claim 7 whereinthe amount added is at a level of 0.1 to 0.3 ppm of selenium.
 9. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the animal is domesticated cattle and theamount added is from 0.05 mg to 10 mg of selenium per head per day. 10.The method of claim 9 wherein the amount added is from 2 to 7 mg ofselenium per head per day.